We 1 (3-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 31, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Julie Schmidt at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary March 22 - 28, 2009 Highlights: Heavy rain--accompanied by high winds, large hail, and isolated tornadoes--soaked the South, halting spring planting but boosting moisture reserves. Weekly rainfall totaled as much as 4 to 12 inches from Louisiana to Georgia and western Florida. However, rain largely bypassed Florida's peninsula, maintaining heavy irrigation requirements for vegetables and citrus. Farther north, heavy rain perpetuated soggy conditions in the middle Mississippi and lower Missouri Valleys, while beneficial showers dampened the previously dry Ohio Valley. Two major storms affected the nation's mid- section, with the first system creating blizzard conditions across parts of the northern Plains. That storm also brought unwanted moisture to the Red River Valley, where near-record to record flooding developed. In contrast, the second storm provided much-needed moisture--mostly snow--for drought- stressed pastures and winter grains in eastern Colorado, northern Texas, and large sections of Kansas and Oklahoma. Elsewhere, mostly dry weather from California to the Rio Grande Valley contrasted with cool, unsettled weather from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies. Precipitation was especially heavy across the northern Intermountain West, where some locations received totals in excess of 2 inches. Weekly temperatures averaged at least 5 degrees F below normal across much of the Rocky Mountain region, while readings ranged from 5 to10 degrees F above normal in the eastern Corn Belt and Mid-South. Early in the week, stormy weather spread across the northwestern and north- central U.S., while warmth prevailed on the Plains. On March 22, daily- record highs included 79 degrees F in Chadron, NE, and 77 degrees F in Rapid City, SD. Later, Rapid City received 11.5 inches of snow on March 23-24, along with a peak northerly wind gust to 77 m.p.h. Meanwhile, daily-record precipitation totals for March 22 reached 0.93 inch in Watertown, SD, and 0.54 inch in Grand Forks, ND. Storm-total (March 22-26) precipitation in Grand Forks climbed to 1.85 inches, including 8.6 inches of snow. Elsewhere in North Dakota, storm-total snowfall unofficially reached 22.5 inches in Marmarth and 18.0 inches in Dickinson. In the Black Hills of South Dakota, the March 23-25 total reached 30.7 inches near Lead. On March 28, the Red River at Fargo climbed to 22.82 feet above flood stage, exceeding the April 1897 high-water mark by 0.72 feet. Record crests were also established at gauging points on several Red River tributaries, including the Wild Rice, Sheyenne, Maple Rivers. In South Dakota, the James River achieved a record crest near Columbia (6.56 feet above flood stage on March 26), exceeding the April 1997 standard by 0.93 foot. Meanwhile, warmth lingered through March 23 in western Texas, where highs soared to 90 degrees F in Midland and 84 degrees F in Lubbock. In contrast, cool, breezy weather settled into the West Coast States, where southern California's Whitaker Peak recorded a northwesterly wind gust to 85 m.p.h. on March 23. The following day, record lows for March 24 in southern California included 27 degrees F in Lancaster and 28 degrees F in Riverside. Cool weather also settled into areas east of the Appalachians, resulting in daily-record lows for March 25 in Salisbury, MD (17 degrees F), and Wallops Island, VA (25 degrees F). Elsewhere, heavy rain soaked parts of the Midwest and the Southeast. Daily-record amounts for March 24 included 2.28 inches in Madison, WI, and 2.13 inches in Rockford, IL, followed the next day by records in Mississippi locations such as Vicksburg (3.75 inches) and Greenville (2.56 inches). In Louisiana, New Iberia (3.87 inches) netted a record-setting total for March 26. Meanwhile, a second storm took aim on the Rockies, Plains, Midwest, and Southeast. By March 26, storm-total snowfall reached 40.0 inches in Alta, UT, while Lander, WY, netted 16.8 inches. On the central and southern Plains, unofficial March 26-28 snowfall totals topped 2 feet in several locations, including Laverne, OK (29 inches), and Pratt, KS (28 inches). At the height of the storm on March 27, Boise City, OK, clocked a peak wind gust to 56 m.p.h. Official snowfall reached 8.3 inches (on March 26-27) in Denver, CO; 9.9 inches (on March 28) in Tulsa, OK; and 11.0 inches (on March 27-28) in Amarillo, TX. For Amarillo, it was the second-latest 10-inch storm on record, behind 12.0 inches on March 29-30, 1926. Farther east, snow spread into parts of the Midwest by March 29, when daily-record totals included 5.8 inches in Springfield, IL, and 2.0 inches in St. Louis, MO. Meanwhile, heavy rain continued to pound the South, where late-week records reached 2.82 inches (on March 27) in Mobile, AL, and 5.25 inches (on March 28) in Alma, GA. From March 25-28, Biloxi, MS, netted 12.09 inches of rain. The two-storm combination also resulted in almost daily outbreaks of severe thunderstorms, mainly across the South. During the week, more than six dozen tornadoes were spotted, according to preliminary reports. Although there were no fatalities with the storms, a tornado near Magee, MS, on the night of March 25-26 had a maximum width of 500 yards (more than one-quarter mile) and reportedly resulted in more than two dozen injuries and damage to or destruction of 60 homes. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary March 23 - 29, 2009 Strong storm systems brought copious amounts of rainfall to locations throughout the southern Great Plains, Corn Belt, Delta, and Southeast, with areas in Florida's Panhandle receiving over 10 inches of precipitation. The Pacific Northwest and isolated locations in the Rocky Mountains also received substantial rainfall. In North Dakota, heavy rainfall coupled with temperatures above freezing caused extensive flooding, resulting in the Red River cresting at 40.82 feet which broke the 112 year-old record of 40.10 feet set in 1897. Temperatures were above average on the eastern side of the United States and in Texas. Maximum temperatures recorded in areas near Brownsville, Texas, pushed the mercury over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, areas west of the Great Plains were as many as 10 degrees below normal for the week. California experienced cold temperatures early in the week, as a front exited the State to the east. Warmer temperatures prevailed during mid-week, until a second gusty front brought northwesterly winds and cooler temperatures on Sunday. Lodging caused by strong winds associated with the late week storm was seen in small grain fields in the central San Joaquin Valley. Fruit crops continued blooming across the State, while producers harvested citrus crops and kiwi. Freeze damage suffered by almond trees in early March remained unknown as of yet. Tomatoes in some fields in the central part of the State were lost due to frost. In Arizona, temperatures remained above normal with little to no precipitation reported. Small grain emergence was complete. Producers were busy planting cotton, and harvesting alfalfa hay, winter vegetables, and citrus fruit. While eastern Texas received considerable rainfall, the western areas remained dry prompting producers to continue irrigating their wheat crop. Wheat was growing well in the Cross Timbers and Blacklands, however, more moisture was needed to help fill heads with grain. Pecan trees were beginning to bud in the Trans-Pecos and Edwards Plateau regions. South Texas producers spent the week planting melons and green beans, while cabbage harvest continued. Heavy rains pounded Georgia, leading to improved soil moisture conditions throughout the State. However, some locations reported crop damage, a delay in planting, or the need to replant some vegetables. Florida received widespread rainfall during the week which halted fieldwork in some counties and caused flooding in others. Strong winds and hail associated with the storm damaged the wheat crop. However, the extent of the damage is currently unknown. The irrigation need in potato fields was lessened, with most of the crop reported in the flowering stage. Spring vegetable planting continued, and blueberry producers were busy harvesting their crop. Citrus producers were busy applying fertilizers and herbicides, while irrigating on a regular basis. Packing houses reported a decline in tangerine and early to mid-season orange supply, while the Valencia harvest gained speed. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge. For free access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.nass.usda.gov, under the right navigation, Receive reports by Email, click on National or State. 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